Kathleen - Jeanne

Dear Jeanne,

It's Mommy here and I'd like you to know about myself and your family, what influenced my choice, and ultimately why I chose that route to take. Here goes nothing...

My full name is Mele Kalani Togia-Taito, born 12/08/1997 at 4:45 AM at Kiaser Perminente in San Francisco, CA. My favorite colors are purple and royal blue; purple is also your grandmother's favorite color as well. Her name is Teuila Recardo Togia (her middle name is the same as her father's). I also have a bunch of siblings, a.k.a. your knuckle-headed aunts and uncles—there's Tamaese, Royal, Jayson, Nathaniel, Josiah, and Ezekiel; those are your uncles. Believe it or not, you're older than three of them! Royal, Josiah, and Ezekiel. Then there are your crazy aunties—Silauniu, Ruta, and Juliana. My mother only gave birth to Tamaese, Royal, Silauniu, and myself, of course, and my father (Jayson Will Taito) had the rest on his own. Your mommy here is the oldest; but also the shortest.

What influences did I have on open adoption? Firstly, I was 14-years-old stuck in an odd predicament as I was in Delray Beach, FL with no family excluding my mother and two siblings at the time. We had been hopping house to house as my mother struggled with stability and basic funds for everyday necessities. I was fresh out of my second year of the eighth grade. Your mommy was a bit of a trouble maker back then... Your father Richard was no help but my boyfriend Marcus and his mother were so much help at the time. I really appreciate those two, although we went our seprate ways. Alex, Marcus' mother, was the one who introduced me to the woman who would help me change your life for the better. The adoption attorney provided so much support. The three of them were basically family to me. Without them, we would've starved...

You are my world and without you, I am nothing. I chose your two same sex adoptive parents because, one, I refused to hear you call another woman "mom." Two, they had the funds to make sure you went to college! Three, I couldn't be selfish and burden you with the struggles and hardship my family went through. Even today, I strive to survive but Mommy must get back up again so therefore, at the age of 15 when I had you, I made the choice to be selfless. Some folks may or may not look down upon me but I could care less about them. It's all about YOU!

Lastly, Mommy loves you to pieces, my darling angel. God blessed me with a princess to soon take her thrown on 10/07/2013. There isn't any doubt one day you'll become the queen you're ultimately meant to be. That's a little about myself, the influences I've had, and the reason why I did what I did...

Love,

Mommy